Greek Cypriot foreign minister George Lillikas has warned the UK government against its efforts to open Ercan International Airport in Northern Cyprus to international flights. The minister stated that: "Whoever intends to promote the function of the airport, contributes in a practical manner to the division of Cyprus." In a statement over the weekend, Foreign Minister George Lillikas also warned that: “whoever has such intentions, should make serious thoughts regarding the consequences of such an action, not only for Cyprus, but also for their bilateral relations with Greek Cyprus.”
Commenting on efforts by members of the British Civil Aviation are making efforts to access he legality an feasibility of establishing direct flights to Northern Cyprus, Mr Lillikas added: "There have been some movements on the part of the British authorities, towards European institutions and international organizations for the collection of information regarding the matter.“ Claiming that the opening of the airport in Northern Cyprus to international aviation is illegal, the Minister added that since direct flights is in breach of international law and the rules of international organizations and Eurocontrol,” he hoped the UK would not attempt to legalize flights there.
Certain Turkish and Turkish Cypriot newspapers are claiming that the British Civil Aviation is beginning to work on ways to open Ercan Airport. This follows a visit by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Ankara, Turkey, where he stated that the application for direct flights had to be accessed first due to issues of legality but that he would like to see direct flights to Ercan. Turkish Cypriots are increasingly frustrated due to continued sanction on the breakaway TRNC, which involves a boycott of all direct flights despite having approved a UN brokered plan to reunify the island. | 
Suleyman Tosun - Londra
